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12 August 2019; 10H15-13H30 Ecumenical Centre, Geneva

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12 August 2019; 10H15-13H30 Ecumenical Centre, Geneva LWF Youth Desk Contact Ms Pranita Biswasi Secretary for Youth [email protected] +41 22 791 6253 lutheranworld.org 12 August 2019; 10h15-13h30 Ecumenical Centre, Geneva Organized by: The Lutheran World Federation, World Council Of Churches, World Student Christian Federation General Objective To promote a shared understanding for the Inclusion, celebrating the gifts and addressing the common concerns and challenges of the young people around the world. Program 10:15-10:30 Gathering of participants, coffee/tea provided (Lobby) 10:30- 10:45 Opening Prayer (Main Hall) 10:45-10:48 Opening remarks by Ms. Pranita Biswasi, Lutheran World Federation, Program executive for Youth 10:48-10:51 Greetings from Rev. Dr. Isabel Apawo Phiri, World Council of Churches deputy general secretary 10:51-10:54 Greetings and message from Rev. Dr. Martin Junge, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation (Video) 10:54-10:57 LUTHERISCHER WELTBUND P.O: Box 2100, Route de Ferney 150, CH-1211 Geneva 2 FÉDÉRATION LUTHÉRIENNE MONDIALE Tel. +41/22-791 61 11, Direct +41/22-791 62 53 FEDERACIÓN LUTERANA MUNDIAL E-Mail [email protected] Message from Ms. Necta Montes, World Student Christian Federation General secretary (video) 10:57-11:00 Message from Ms. Joy Eva Bohol, World Council of Churches program executive for youth engagement in the ecumenical movement (video) 11:00-11:03 Introduction of speakers for the TED Talk-style presentation (videos and in- person) 11:03-11:08 Mr. Azeez Sadeq, Youth on Migration and Refugee Crisis (since he is the only in- person speaker) 11:08-11:13 Ms Jennifer Muthoki from Kenya, Youth on Radical Extremism (video) 11:13-11:18 Ms Islam Khadijah from United States, LWF Young Reformer on Gender Justice (video) 11:18-11:23 Ms Camilla Ulloa from Colombia, Youth on Higher Education (video) 11:23-11:28 Mr Khulekani Magwaza from South Africa, LWF Young Council member on Climate Justice (video) 11:28-11:30 Transition to small groups for round-table reflection and discussion (with instructions) 11:30-12:10 Small Group discussion per topic 12:10-12:25 Presentation per small group 12:25-12:30 Conclusion and wrapping up (group photo after) 12:30-13:30 Light lunch and networking (lobby) Background Young people under 30 years old comprise 50.5 percent or more than 2 billion of the world’s population. According to the Youth Progress Report of 2017, today’s young generation is the largest ever in the history. Young people are connected to each other like never before and want to already contribute towards the revival of the Church and LUTHERISCHER WELTBUND FÉDÉRATION LUTHÉRIENNE MONDIALE FEDERACIÓN LUTERANA MUNDIAL the communities proposing innovative ways of approach, solutions, driving social progress and inspiring change in different levels. Inclusion of young people is a major concern and challenge all over the world for most of the churches, communities and organizations, working for the effective rights of all people. In many regions of the world, it is witnessed that majority of the members of the congregation are young people. Despite this, the generational crisis exists among those. Cultural differences are gifts for mutual enrichment. However, it still strongly discourages young people to fully use their capabilities and build up their self-esteem. The common sentiments of young people in all sectors is the underrepresentation of their generation in decision-making processes. In 2018, a youth meeting in Rome gathered more than 300 young people from different Christian traditions, different faiths, and those who do not affiliate in any faith group, plus 15,000 or so online young people around the world. In this meeting they collectively stated, “On many occasions, young people have difficulty finding a space in the Church where they can actively participate and lead. Young people interpret their experience of the Church as one where they are considered too young and inexperienced to lead or make decisions as they would only make mistakes. There is a need for trust in young people to lead and to be protagonists of their own spiritual journey. This is not just to imitate their elders, but to really take ownership of their mission and responsibility, lived out well. Movements and new communities in the Church have developed fruitful ways to not only evangelize young people, but also to empower them to be the primary ambassadors of the faith to their peers.” It is visible in both church and society that young people right now are growing more politically active than ever, being on the forefront of issues that affect not only their generation but the entire population. Climate Justice, Gender Justice, Migration Issues and Refugee Crises, Education and Employment, Radical Extremism, are some of the issues that affect greatly the young population. And yet, the access to their right to be represented in the decision-making bodies is still difficult. The United Nations, since 2000, has declared 12 August as the International Youth Day. This is to raise awareness about the issues of young people in different countries. Youth organizations and organizations working with young people are invited to highlight the efforts of young people in creating a better world. This year the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation youth offices, in partnership with the World Student Christian Federation, and UNICEF, will observe together in Geneva, Switzerland the International Youth Day 2019 with the theme, “Transforming Education.” Inclusive education and access to education are crucial components of our work. The same spirit is highlighted in the UN`s observation of the IYD 2019. It states, “Inclusive and accessible education is crucial to achieving sustainable development and can play a role in the prevention of conflict. Indeed, education is a ‘development multiplier’ as it plays a pivotal role in accelerating progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, be it poverty eradication, good health, gender equality, decent work and growth, reduced inequalities, action on climate or peaceful societies. LUTHERISCHER WELTBUND FÉDÉRATION LUTHÉRIENNE MONDIALE FEDERACIÓN LUTERANA MUNDIAL “Youth-led organizations, as well as individual youth, together with various stakeholders and Governments, are concretely transforming education so that it becomes a fundamental tool both for sustainable development and for the full inclusion of various social groups.” Education is key in addressing a variety of challenges facing our common humanity. Not only the basic education but theological education, exchange programs and dialogue opportunities between Interfaith young people could be a part of transformation. Intentional intergenerational dialogues and inclusion in the mission and vision will promote the active role of the young people in our Churches and societies. LUTHERISCHER WELTBUND FÉDÉRATION LUTHÉRIENNE MONDIALE FEDERACIÓN LUTERANA MUNDIAL .
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